A veterans hospital in San Antonio, Texas has removed a "Merry Christmas" banner from its facility, ending a 33-year tradition because several people found it offensive.
For more than three decades, Vietnam veteran Ethel Holloway has been putting the Christmas decoration at 1C unit of the Audrie Murphy VA Hospital using her own money.
But this year, her decoration was removed by the hospital, saying they "received a number of complaints about the decorations being overly religious and offensive," according to Fox News and KENS5.
"They ruined our decorations. They threw them out," Holloway said.
Helper Grace Martinez said the hospital "literally took pieces from the middle of a whole train set, because the middle said 'Merry Christmas.'"
In addition, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System also admitted that they also removed a manger with "specific scripture decoration."
"During the removal of a manger and specific scripture decoration, a Merry Christmas decoration was accidentally removed and damaged. The remaining decorations were removed by the decoration donor and her representatives," it said.
The hospital offered Holloway reimbursement for the decorations.
"We acknowledge that the corrective action should have been to display the faith-specific holiday decoration along with multiple religious faith symbols. We are currently ensuring that our staff are educated and aware of the national policy and how it relates to decorations throughout the facility," it said.
In a statement, the VA hospital said it removed the "Merry Christmas" banner in the same way war veterans protected Americans' freedoms.
"Veterans entered the military to protect our freedoms, including the freedom to practice a religion of our choice. At VA, it is our duty to uphold and respect the honour and sacrifice of all veterans, from all faiths and backgrounds," it said.
In Salem, Virginia, a veterans hospital banned Christmas greetings, "religious" carols and Christmas trees in all public areas this year.
The Christmas tree was allowed back after hospital employees protested, but it was accompanied by symbols of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
Hospital employees are barred from greeting veterans "Merry Christmas" or playing religious Christmas carols.
"I like 'Jingle Bells' as much as the next person, but the government can't ban 'religious' Christmas carols any more than it can ban ugly sweaters or egg nog," said Kristina Arriaga, executive director of The Becket Fund.
